High tension switch



Feb.16,1932. 4 WG-.MME l 1,845,927

HIGH TENSION SWITCH Filed April 16, 195o "ffii-f :El

al 2 .'zceeeegl e@ @5414 a 9 nl. i@ /6 :M /7 z/ I'nuantnr' ulltnfclr'd G mlye Patented Feb. 16, 1932 WINFOBD GLADSTON E MILN E, F HAMILTON, ONTBIO, CANAJSA HIGH TENSION SWITCH Application med April 16,

My invention relates to improvements in high tension disconnectin switches of the type used to carry current oads of tive thousand to twenty thousand volts, or more; and the object of my invention is to construct a switch which is positively locked against being blown open under heavy short circuit conditions. A further object of my invention is to so construct m switch that there is very little possibility o the are which is very often l@ drawn in opening the switch passing through and injuring the switch locking mechanism.

A still further object of my invention is to so construct the actuating mechanism o'f my switch lock that it is entirely shielded against the entrance of forei matter into the lock, as foreign matter suc as packed sleet or ice in the winter time, and twigs, blown dirt, wasps nests etc., in the summer time very frequently give the operator a great deal of en `trouble and put him in a dangerous position when endeavouring to free the locks of such switches while the current is still on the wires.

A still further object of my invention is to provide my lock in two independent duplicate parts so that should one of such parts fail through any unforseen contingency, the other `part will not be interfered with in its functioning and lock the switch againstbeing blown open. v

My invention consists of a high tension switch constructedand arranged all as hereinafter more particularly described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my switch.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view through the b ades and lock, being taken through the line 3--3, Fi 1re 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudine vertical sectional view taken through the line 4 4, Figure 8, the block being shown in engagement with a fragmentary portion of the contact block.

Big. 5 is a orizontal cross sectional view taken through the line 5 5, Figure 4. y

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of the lock engaging contact 60 block, and

1930. serial No.`444,77a.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the plates and latch bolts of my switch lock.

Lilie characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different views in the drawings.

My high tension switch follows standard practice in its general construction, in that it consists of a base plate 1 uponwhich two post insulators 2 and 3 are mounted, and carry contact blocks 4 and5.' A pair ofswingable blades 6 and 7 are pivotally mounted upon the block 5 by means of a bolt 8 which extends through the blades and block, the block being positioned between `the blades and the bolt provided with dome springwashers 9 which bear against the sides of the blades. The contact blocks 4 and 5 are connected to cable connection plates 10 which rest upon the tops of the insulator posts 2 and 3. f

\ My invention relates to the provisionof a lock mechanism for positively retaining the blades 6 and 7 in locked electrical contact with the contact block 4, and in carrying this out, I provide the upper outer corner of the contact block 4 with a horizontally extending bolt engaging member 11, and each of the bladeswith a latch bolt which is adapted to engage and lock with the member 11. In the vicinity of the outer ends of theblades 6 and 7 I provide a pair of centrally and oppositely positioned rectangular orices 12 through which latch bolts 13 extend, such latch bolts beingalso of rectangular form. 14 are plates positioned upon the outer faces of the blades 6 and 7 and upon which the latch bolts 13 are formed, and 15 are dish shaped cover plates having their edges engaging the outer faces of the blades and constitutingoovers for the plates 14.

For retaining theblades 6 and 7 in their spaced relation and also for retaining the cover plates 15 in position, I furnish a pair of studs 16 and 17 `which extend through oriices 18 in the blades, 19 inthe plates 14, and 20 in the plates 15, nuts 21 being furnished.

' The central portions 22 of the studs being of greater diameter thanthe remaining threaded :portions andof a Width substantially equal `to the thickness of the contact block 5 so that the blades bearing against such central portions 22 are substantially parallel. rEhe cover plates have a dual function in providing a cover for the plates 14 and also constituting spring washer surfaces against which the nuts 21 bear and are retained. Between the outer faces of the plates 14 andthe inner faces of the cover plates 15, I position a pair of curved spring plates 23 which bear therebetween and are each furnished with an orifice 24 through which the stud 16 extends.

For actuating the latch bolts 13 in respect to the member 11 upon the contact block 4, I furnish a lock actuating member 25 adapted to be contained between the blades 6 and 7 in the vicinity of their .outer ends, being .furnished with an orifice 26 whereby it is pivotally mounted upon the enlarged portion 22 of the stud 16. The outer end of such member 25 is formed with a loop 27 whereby the operator can swing the plate to open the lock and pull the switch, and its inner end 28 formed with` a pair of channels 29 which extend inwardly from its ends to the vicinity of the orifice 26. These channels are of VY shaped cross section and are adapted to receive the outer portions 30 of the latch bolts 13 which are also of V shaped cross section, the portion of the latch bolt which engages the bottom face of the member 11 being of rectangular cross section. The top of the `contact block 4 is formed with bevelled edges 31 to permit the easy entrance of the block vbetween the blades when they are swung downwardly into the closed position, and the top 32 of the member 11 is of substantially V shaped cross section Aso that the engaging latch bolts are readily moved inwardly against the springs 23 as they engage the sloping faces of the portion 32. In orderto limit thel swinging movement of the lock actuating member 25, I provide it with pairs of stop pins 33 which engage the ends of the blades 6 and 7.

v When the switch is in the closed and lockedA position as illustrated in the drawings, the latch bolts 13 project through the orilices 12 in the blades 6 and 7 underneath the projecting member ll'upon the contact block 4 thus retaining the blades 6 and 7 from swinging upwardly or what is known as blown open, under heavy current loads. v

1When the switch is being opened, the op- Y era-tor, 'as in the actuation of yall switches of Vthis typeuses a long wooden pole with a metal hook upon the end to engage the loop 27 and pull the switch open. YWhen the loop 27 is pulled upwardly the lock actua-tingl member 25 swings about the central portion '22 of the stud 16 until the upper stop pin 33 comes into contact with the ends of the blades 6 and 7. From the description of my device it will be understood that the outer V shaped portions'30 of the latch bolts 13 are seated within the V shaped channels 29 in the inner end of the lockv actuating member 25 when the switch is closed and locked. When, however, the lock actuating member 25 is swung to open the switch, the movement of the channels 29 in the member away from the portions 30 of the latch bolts will cause such latch bolts to move outwardly against the tension of the spring plates 23 and from underneath the bolt engaging member 11 upon the contact block 4. This movement permits further pull upon the loop 27 to swing the blades 6 and 7 upwardly out of contact with the block 4 and thus opening the switch.

In closing the switch, engagementwith the loop 27 is made; and the blades 6 and 7 swung downwardly -into engagement with the contact block 4,;when the latch bolts 13 will engage the V shaped top. 32 of the member 11 and be pressed outwardly against the spring plates 23 A-which return afterwards to their locking position underneath the projecting member 11 when the switch is fully closed.

By the provision of the cover plates 15 I shieldV my lock mechanism against the entrance of any foreign m'atter thereinto, and the provision of these cover plates also obviates the possibility of arcs which are frequently drawn in opening and closing the switch from passing through the lock mechanism, as the arcs canonly extend from the contact block .4 tothe blades or the cover plates. a

- My device is also so Vconstructed that it can be used as a double fthrow switch making contact with the block 4v at one endv of its swing and also another block, not shown, at the other end of' its swing; the locking movement in .both cases being identical.

Y From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have devised a particularly simple and sturdy switch locking mechfnism, which will retain the switch in its closed positionfagainst a-nytendency to be blown open under changing current load'conditions, and although I have shown andv described a particular embodiment of my invention itis to be understood that I can make such changes and alterations as I may, from time to time, deem necessary without departing from the spirit of my invention asset forth in the appended claims, y Y

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a switch lock of the character described, the4 combination of va Apair of'swingable blades,a'contact'block with which the blades engage, a pair ,ofv latch bolts carried by the blades and protrudingthrough orilices in theblades land engaging the block, and a lock actuating member carried by the lglzdes and engaging the protrudinglatch opts' ,Y

2. Ina switch 'lock of theV character deable blades, a contact block with whichl the blades engage, a air of independent latch bolts each movab y mounted upon a blade and engaging the contact block, and a lock actuating member carried by the blades and engaging the latch bolts.

3. In a switch lock of the character described, the combination of a swingable blade, a contact block with which the blade engages, a latch bolt movably mounted upon the blade and having a horizontal transverse movement engaging the contact block and a lock actuating member carried by the blade and engaging the latch bolt.

4. In a switch lock of the character described, the combination with a pair of swingable blades, a contact block with which the blades engage, a pair of latch bolts protruding through orifices in the blades and engaging the block, and a latch bolt engaging member swingably carried by the blades and formed with grooves in which the protruding portions of the latch bolts are received.

5. In a switch lock of the character described, the combination with a air of swingable blades, a contact block with which the blades engage, a pair of latch bolts carried by the blades and protruding through orifices in the blades and engaging the block, resilient means retaining the latch bolts in protrusion through the orifices, and a lock actuating member carried between the blades and engaging the latch bolts.

6. ln a switch lock of the character described, the combination with a pair of swingable blades, a contact block with which the blades engage, a pair of latch bolts movably mounted upon the blades and having a horizontal transverse movement engaging the contact block, resilient means retaining the latch bolts in engagement with the contact block, and a lock actuating member carried by the blades and enga ing the latch bolts.

7. In a switc lock of the character described, the combination with a pair of swingable blades, a contact block with which the blades engage, a pair of latch bolts rotruding through orilices in the blades an engaging the block, resilient means retaining the latch bolts in protrusion through the orlices, and a lock engaging member swingably carried between the blades and formed with grooves into which the protruding portions of the latch bolts are received.

8. In a switch lock of the character described, the combination with a air of swingable blades, a contact block with which the blades engage, a pair of latch bolts rotruding through orifices in the blades an engaging the block, a pair of plates extending alon the outer faces of the blades and upon whic the latch bolts are carried, resilient means engaging the plates for retaining the latch bolts in protrusion through the orices, and a lock engaging member carried between the blades and engaging the latch bolts.

9. In a switch lock of the character described, the combination with a pair of swingable blades, a contact block with which the blades engage, a pair of latch bolts rotruding through orifices in the blades an en ag ing the block, a pair of plates extending a ong the outer faces ofthe blades and upon which the latch bolts are carried, a pair of covers secured to the outer faces of the blades and covering the plates, s rings interposed between the plates and t e covers, and a latch bolt engaging member swingably carried between the blades and formed with grooves into which the protruding portions of the latch bolts are received.

WINFORD GLADSTON E MILNE. 

